Qantas prepares for strike actions

Qantas A380. By Rob Finlayson.

Labor disputes at Qantas (QF) are expected to disrupt travel plans of some 20,000 passengers tomorrow and Friday.

The disruptions are the latest in an increasingly bitter dispute over wages and job security and come as the Australian government considers introducing a no-strike clause for the airline industry. (ATW Daily News, Oct. 11).

On Thursday, the Transport Workers Union will hold two-hour stop work actions across the country, while the Australian Association of Licenced Engineers union will stop work for four hours Friday afternoon.

QF has cancelled 14 flights Thursday and rescheduled 28. On Friday, over 90 flights will be impacted by the engineers’ four-hour stoppage.

“We are currently working through the impact of the action on our schedule.

“Once we have identified any changes required, we will do all to advise passengers of the disruptions,” QF said.

Coincidentally, Australia’s Customs and Border Protection employees will take part in further industrial action Thursday.

The protected industrial action relates to the negotiation of an enterprise agreement for Customs and Border Protection employees.

Acting deputy CEO for Customs and Border Protection, Jan Dorrington, said the Community and Public Sector Union has advised that the protected industrial action will proceed at various work locations, including airports and container examiner facilities.

“This action means people booked on flights to or from Australia tomorrow could experience delays at international airports,” Dorrington said.

Negotiations between Customs and Border Protection and bargaining representatives over a new pay offer are continuing.

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